THE work of Gloucestershire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit has today, Wednesday June 26, seen two people sentenced in Gloucester Crown Court for their part in a conspiracy to supply class A drugs and a third sentenced for money laundering in an operation which uncovered a drug factory and substantial amounts of cash.

The operation began in October 2012 when officer’s carried out a search warrant in a garage on Oakhurst Close in Churchdown. The garage had been identified as being used by one of the defendants Steven Pearce who was suspected of involvement in distributing Class A drugs. It was in effect being rented by another defendant Phillip Sullivan .

Inside the building they found evidence of a full-scale Class A drugs factory In total officers found 1.8 kg of cocaine at between 1% and 2% purity and a further 191.41 grams of cocaine at purities ranging from 28% to 55%.

The estimated street value of these drugs is in excess of £228,000.

A hydraulic press with traces of white powder on it, mixing bowls, dust masks and latex gloves were also seized from the garage .It was clear from forensic analysis that these items were being used in the cutting and preparation of controlled drugs .

However, cocaine was not the only Class A drug found at the premises. Dialmorphine (heroin) was also found, with a street value estimated between £5,425 and £10,850.

As the police investigation continued enquiries led officers to the home of 50 year-old Karen Lesley Keser, of Clarkia Close in Churchdown.

A warrant was carried out at the address and £72,200 in cash was found on the top of a bedroom wardrobe, along with a further £25,000 in counterfeit notes.

Keser was arrested and entered a guilty plea to money laundering and possession of counterfeit currency. She was sentenced to 15 months for the money laundering offence and six months for possession of counterfeit currently. Her sentence has been suspended for two years.

Stephen John Pearce, 38, of Innsworth Lane in Innsworth was arrested and charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroine and facilitating the use or control of criminal property – both cash and counterfeit cash. He entered a guilty plea at court and was sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment for the cocaine offence, six years and eight months imprisonment for the heroin offence and 18 months for the charges connected with the cash. These sentences will run concurrently.

34-year-old Philip Sullivan of Marlstone Drive in Churchdown was arrested and later charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin and facilitating the use or control of criminal property – both cash and counterfeit cash.

He entered a guilty plea at court and was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for the cocaine offence, eight years imprisonment for the heroin offence and 18 months for the charges connected with the cash. These sentences will run concurrently.

Police contend that the evidence showed that Sullivan was the head of the enterprise with Pearce going hands on with the drugs Detective Inspector Neil Carpenter said: “It is clear from the evidence we have convicted those responsible for an established and large scale drug conspiracy.

“When first arrested Sullivan thought he could talk his way out of it by distancing himself from the garage. It was only when he realised the mass of evidence investigators had compiled against him as the organiser that he very quickly pleaded guilty.

“The amounts of cash seized are big - indicating profits involved. We will confiscate that and look at Proceeds of Crime Act hearings to confiscate any further assets linked to their criminality.”